Om Chanting: Meaning, Benefits, and Best Practices

You must have come across the word Om chanting sometime or the other? But you don’t have any idea what it stands for? So, Om chanting is rooted in Hinduism and is a powerful mantra that can help you connect with the higher powers and find your inner true self. The three curves of the Om symbol are said to represent significant cultural symbols: earth, atmosphere, and heaven; three qualities, such as goodness, passion, and darkness; and thought, speech, and action. If you chant this ancient mantra, you will see the om chanting effects not just in a spiritual way but also with health benefits that can improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Meaning of Three Curves in Om

The Om chanting meaning is deeply rooted in Hinduism and its various traditions and mantras. How the symbol originated is still unknown, but the three curves represent three states of consciousness:

1. Awake
2. Dream
3. Deep sleep

According to the Hindu scriptures, the three curves of the Om symbol represent the three major Hindu gods:

1. Brahma
2. Vishnu
3. Mahadev

There are also some suggestions that the curves in Om stand for the three sacred Vedic scriptures:

1. Rig Veda
2. Yajur Veda
3. Sama Veda

Meaning of Aum Mantra

Even though many people believe in chanting Om daily, most don’t know what it means. Despite being such a powerful mantra, full of divine benefits, the sound of Om does not have any definite meaning or definition. The meaning of Om depends on the person chanting the mantra and how they perceive it.

Many decades ago, sages used to believe that Om is directly related to the universe, which means ‘God is present everywhere’. Even scientific researchers have proved this fact about Om being connected with the universe.

Here is another explanation regarding Om chanting, suggested by many yoga gurus and researchers. The Om symbol or A-U-M word has three curves or letters, respectively, each of which represents Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar.

A
The letter ‘A’ stands for creation since ‘A’ is the first one we speak, and its pronunciation comes directly from the navel. During our birth, we are attached to our mothers through the umbilical cord. We get our food and drink from this connection while in the womb. After we are born, doctors cut the cord, severing the tie between a mother and a child, which signifies Brahma himself, our creator.

U
The letter ‘U’ stands for the living as the sound of it comes from our heart. Hence, it is related to Lord Vishnu, one of the supreme Gods.

M
The last word, ‘M’, comes out from the throat and produces powerful vibrations. Our throat is related to Lord Shiva, which is significant to the end of our life cycle.
Therefore, Omkar mantra chanting allows you to invoke the three supreme Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Om chanting has been given the highest place in the Hindu religion and is chanted before every mantra.

Significance of Om

Om is the essence of all mantras, rituals, and Vedas, and every ceremonial chanting and prayer begins with Om, including weddings, worshipping deities, private prayers, and any other traditional rituals. It is also given great importance in yoga practices, as without chanting Om, no yoga pose is complete.

Om mantra chanting is common during meditation, Yogas and other spiritual practices, as it can help you align your thoughts with a higher realm. It is also known as the mantra of Mahadev and is among the most powerful and spiritual symbols in Hinduism that can help you connect with heavenly energies.

In the old days, brahmans and sages who went to mountains and did penance to achieve moksha would begin by chanting Om to connect themselves with the universe. That is why, when a soul severs all ties with this universe and goes on its journey in the spiritual realm, Hindus chant ‘Om Shanti’ for the departed soul.

According to the Vedas and Upanishads, omkar chanting allows you to communicate with the positive energy surrounding you. Om chanting for beginners can help you witness the power of Om, understand the deeper meaning of life, and achieve inner peace.

10 Benefits of Om Chanting While Meditating

If you consider the impact and historical significance of Om chanting, it becomes clear that it is a profoundly transformative and enduring practice. You must practice meditation on the Om mantra daily for at least 10 minutes while Om chanting 108 times. You can even incorporate it into your daily yoga practice. 10 benefits of om chanting are as follows:

1. Chanting the Om mantra can improve sleep quality. It also helps you balance your emotions, stay calm during stressful situations, and purify your inner aura.

2. As you chant Om, the vibrations that arise from within can make you feel happier and more blissful. It also works wonders to improve your imagination and creativity.

3. It has the power to eliminate negative energy, purifying the environment and people around you. Chanting the Om mantra can remove your worries and increase your focus and concentration.

4. Om chanting practice has self-healing powers that can improve immunity and strength.

5. There are also a few cardiovascular benefits of Om chanting. While chanting Om, if you feel relaxed, it is one of the Om chanting effects. It relaxes your mind and body, decreasing your blood pressure and regulating your heartbeat.

6. Chanting Om can improve your voice by giving strength to your vocal cords and the muscles around it.

7. When you chant Om regularly, you reach a heightened state of mindfulness. Daily chanting of OM can enhance self-awareness and self-acceptance, leading to spiritual growth.

8. Performing the chanting in groups, can amplify the benefits of Om Chanting, as it produces immense positive vibrations which can charge up the entire vicinity.

9. If you chant the Om mantra regularly, you will soon feel subtle, strong, and pure energy flowing through you. You will also feel any heaviness, negativity, imbalance, and confused emotions leaving your mind and being replaced with a clear and peaceful state of mind.

10. According to astrologers Om chanting can cleanse your skin and is healthy for it. The internal positive energy promoted by the Om mantra gets externally reflected with a shiny glow on your face and body.

What are the Top Benefits of Om Chanting?

There are several benefits of chanting om 108 times, as it has a profound impact on your overall well-being, including your physical, mental, and emotional health.

1. Improves Respiratory and Cardiovascular Health

There are many benefits of Om chanting for those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis. The deep breathing and vibrations help clear the respiratory tract, improving lung function. This sacred chanting has also been found to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, promoting better cardiovascular health. Based on some research, Om mantra can increase the activity of certain immune cells, playing a vital role in defending the body against infections and diseases.

2. Improves Your Focus and Concentration

During the chanting of the Om mantra, make sure your focus and attention are on the sound and vibrations of the mantra. This can train your mind to stay focused and present in the moment, which can improve overall concentration and mindfulness. Due to the vibrations produced by the Om sounds, you will feel an instant sensory connection with your body and be in sync with yourself physically and emotionally.

3. Calms Your Mind

If you chant this mantra, it will create a sense of inner peace and calmness, helping to reduce mental clatter and distractions. When the mantra is repeated for a long time, it quiets the mind and releases negative thoughts and emotions. This can be especially beneficial for those struggling with anxiety or racing thoughts. Including it in your daily life can also improve emotional stability and resilience, making it an effective tool for managing difficult emotions.

4. Promotes Positivity and Spiritual Awakening

The Bija mantra can activate the crown chakra at the top of your head. It wakes you to spiritual consciousness and has a purifying effect on the mind and body. Om chanting has been found to boost the production of serotonin, promoting feelings of happiness and well-being. The mantra can also lead to increased self-awareness and personal growth and transformation, as it allows one to identify and address any areas of one’s life that may require attention or healing.

5. Clears Out Negative Energy

The powerful practice of Om chanting helps in clearing out negative energy from your environment and within yourself. The vibrations produced during Om chanting can help you remove any negative thoughts and emotions, creating a more positive mental state. When this mantra is chanted in a quiet place, you can feel the calm and wonderful energy flowing within you, transforming your negative thoughts into positive ones. If you chant om regularly, you will soon notice the difference as it creates an atmosphere of positivity and tranquility, which can be especially beneficial in stressful or chaotic environments.

6. Mastery Over Karma

According to the Yoga Sutras, continuous repetition of Om can help you master your unconscious mind. Try to focus on the sound and vibrations of Om, as they can help you cultivate mindfulness, spiritual knowledge, and self-awareness, allowing you to make more conscious and deliberate choices. This heightened awareness can help break negative karmic cycles, gaining you positive karma.

The Power of Om Chanting

In Hindu tradition, it is believed that Om contains the entire universe and is the first sound from the beginning of time that transcends the past, present, and future. Almost all religions, including Sikhism, Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, have included Om in their Chanting Mantra.

Om is related to the English meaning of the word Omni, which signifies the ever-present nature of one singular being. It further refers to the origin and destruction of the universe, helping you to connect with nature, living beings, your inner self, and the universe. Om is connected to the Ajna chakra, of the chakra system. It has a connection with the third eye and represents self-knowledge and intuition. It is also a seed syllable that is used at the beginning of many mantras in various religions.

Most people use the Om sound during their meditation to attain peace. The sound of Om is often used in spiritual practices and yoga. Om chanting practice goes beyond religion and is respected by people across various communities.

‘Om Namah Shivaya’, which is mostly used while praying for Lord Shiva, means “I honor the divinity of Shiva and brace it within myself”. It is one of the most commonly used mantras among Hindus and yogis. However, ‘Om Shanti’ means “peace be with you”, and it is an alternative way of saying goodbye for the Hindus.’ Om Shanti’ is a term mostly used for saying goodbye to a soul after their demise.

Om chanting is believed to align a person with the divine, the higher force. Om chanting powerful vibrations can forge a bridge between the finite and infinite, promoting a sense of connection to the supreme. Further, the vibrations that will be generated when you chant Om are said to have a soothing effect on your nervous system. It is also said that regularly chanting the beej mantra can reduce your stress, anxiety, and restlessness and can lead to a peaceful and calmer being.

How do You Chant Om or Aum?

Om is considered to be the first sound from which the universe came into existence. Om which is also spelt as AUM, is pronounced in a progression of three sounds – A – U – M. The sound A comes from the back of our throat. While U comes from the middle of the vocal region, and M comes from the lips and is nasal. The beauty of Om chanting is that we don’t have to do anything to make these sounds.

During the Om chanting practice, all you have to do is vibrate your vocal cords as you open your mouth and bring it to a close again. And all other sounds that we make are contained within these three syllables. Thus, Aum is known as the primitive sound, and it’s considered to be the ancient sound of nature and the ever-humming sound of the universe. There are a few things you should consider before you start chanting Om mantra.

• Your ambience and surrounding play a crucial role during Om chanting.
• Always find a quiet space, indoors or outdoors and sit comfortably to chant Om peacefully.
• It is better to sit in Padmasana or cross-legged on a mat or the floor and keep your body posture straight.
• Then close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and chant Om as you exhale, allowing vibrations to resonate from your abdomen to your throat.
• The correct way of pronouncing Om is a short A, then a long U, ending with a medium M.

As soon as you immerse yourself in the Om chanting practice, you will find yourself calmer, centered and deeply connected to your inner being, with a peaceful and clear mind.

Best Practices for Effective Chanting

Here are a few best practices that you can incorporate during om chanting:

Find a Quiet and Comfortable Space

During the Om chanting practice, you should look for a space where you can sit comfortably with no distractions or interruptions to connect with the spiritual essence of the mantra. A peaceful and serene environment can help you start your meditation with deep concentration.

Set a Clear Intention

Before you can begin the practice, make sure you know your intention, goal, or purpose for your session. Be firm and clear with your intentions before chanting the mantra, and direct your mind to a specific goal to connect with divine power.

Set a Time and Duration

If you want to practice Om chanting, set a specific time and duration to remain committed to it. This will make it easier to maintain a regular practice.

Correct Posture and Body Alignment

You should sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight and shoulders relaxed to allow for the free flow of energy throughout the body.

Use Deep Breathing Techniques.

Breathe deeply and slowly, and as you exhale, release the sound of Om for the entire duration of your breath. This will help activate your diaphragm, bringing a sense of calm and grounding to your practice.

When you practice Om chanting regularly, it can become a transformative tool for aligning one’s actions with higher principles and values, leading to a better and more fulfilling life. By chanting this powerful sound, you can embark on a transformative spiritual journey of self-discovery and self-realization. Om chanting can help you get closer to the mysteries of existence and find peace within yourself and in the interconnectedness of all things. Let the vibrations of the Om mantra continue to resonate within you, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.